I rejected a rich suitor at 27 and my mother stopped eating for three days

Six years ago in Kaduna my parents brought a man to the house. He was 52. Two wives already. He owned three filling stations and he wanted me for a third wife. My father said I should be grateful. My mother said I should thank God. I was 27 and I had just been promoted to junior HR officer.

I told them no. My mother went to her room and did not eat for three days. Wallahi, three days. My father stopped talking to me for two months. They said I had brought shame. I packed one small bag and came to Abuja with my scholarship letter and my fear.

Now I am 33, married to a man I chose, with a daughter and a job I built with my own hands. My mother and I still don't talk about that month. But last week she called me and said she was proud of me. I did not ask her why. Some things you just leave alone.